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Although this special day -- Veterans Day -- honors all of this nation's military personnel who served honorably, those living and dead, it's an important day to deliver a message on behalf of Americans' right to know, for veterans and non-veterans alike.
That message applies to the current war with Iran. Specifically, it deals with the transparency that should be emanating from Washington regarding that conflict and the role -- what, indeed, should in fact be the accepted obligation -- of members of Congress to divulge the information, if the Department of Defense does not come forth and do so.
We're referring to the death and injury toll -- the exact numbers -- related to the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, today, Veterans Day, we're also calling for a regular timetable for updating that information, until the war officially ends.
Judging from the way the information pipeline applying to the war has been handled up to now, Americans cannot feel comfortable that they have received all of the information that they have been entitled to receive.
It's time for that uncertainty to be put to rest with official, accurate statistics, and Veterans Day is an appropriate day for that official accounting to be launched.
If Washington won't do it, then it should be the responsibility of members of Congress -- indeed, Congress as a whole -- to demand that information. And, if that doesn't happen, then every member of Congress should relate what they know -- or the reasons why they don't know -- to their constituents to allow their constituents to form their own opinions.
Meanwhile, lack of transparency regarding such an important issue should be protested by the American people,
By the way, this is not a Republican or Democratic matter; it's a matter of nonpartisan right-to-know.
If necessary, veterans should stand out front, making it known that they won't stand for anything less than full disclosure.
The information might be uncomfortable, but so is the suspicion, held by many Americans, here and beyond, that they might have been kept out of the proverbial loop of what really has occurred.
Those not opposed to the war, as well as opponents, should recognize and acknowledge their right to the information in question.
But beyond the war with Iran, and like in years past, it's imperative that this important day be observed in the spirit of patriotism in which the federal holiday is intended.
For example, attendance at a Veterans Day parade should be an agenda item. Additionally, if you know a veteran or cross paths with one, thank him or her for having honorably served this wonderful nation.
Veterans Day is a day when many who have served this land wear hats indicating the military branch in which they served or in what military operation on behalf of this country they were involved.
Many veterans will accept the opportunity to receive a free meal or other benefits from businesses in this area -- in appreciation for their service.
This region is a patriotic one and is generous in expressing its pride.
Keeping transparency alive -- an integral part of what veterans over the decades have in fact fought for -- should never be relegated to the background or deemed by anyone as unimportant.